A STUNNING and sharply-styled concept at the Paris Motor Show gives more than a hint as to how Renault is planning to join the elite club of European prestige car makers. Distinctly different from the traditional three-box style, the Vel Satis is paving the way for a new top-draw French model which will rival cars built by Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

It will also influence the looks of Renault's next executive challenger, the Safrane replacement due in 2002. In an interview at the Paris Motor Show, styling chief Patrick le Quement said: 'We don't plan to produce an outrageous car - I believe some makers are building cars for customers which don't exist - but what we do create will have high style and intelligence. We have not created Vel Satis as a show exercise. Each Renault concept will be a working model in future, and the theme of this car will certainly appear on the roads.'